Join us in person to meet new IDSC Core Faculty joint hire with the School of Education and Human Development, Dr. Wanli Xing, on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the Newman Alumni Center. Dr. Xing will give a talk from 4:00-5:00 p.m., followed by a social hour from 5:00-6:00.
TALK TITLE: Teaching and Learning at the Human-Technology Frontier: The Power of AI and Data Science
Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies are transforming education, making personalized learning, intelligent tutoring, and scalable educational interventions more essential than ever. In this talk, Dr. Xing will present his research at the intersection of learning sciences, AI, and data science, demonstrating how AI-powered tools and large-scale data analytics can enhance STEM and computing education while equipping students for the future workforce.
Dr. Xing will begin by showcasing how his research addresses real-world educational challenges by integrating learning theories with advanced AI technologies. He will also highlight his contributions to AI cyberinfrastructure, including the development of education-specific generative AI models that have seen widespread adoption.
Beyond technological advancements, his work tackles the critical need for a well-prepared computing workforce, driving innovation in AI, data science, cybersecurity, and computer science education. Finally, Dr. Xing will outline his future research vision and funding agenda, focusing on strategies to advance AI-driven learning environments, fair and transparent data science in education, and workforce development initiatives in AI and data science.
This event is free and open to the public.
Register Now
Thursday, April 30 • 4:00-6:00 PM | Newman Alumni Center, Toll Library, 6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables FL 33146
About Dr. Wanli Xing
Professor Wanli Xing, a nationally recognized researcher working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science and education, joins the University of Miami this year with a joint appointment with IDSC and the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD).
The appeal of a joint appointment is both intellectual and practical, a place where advanced computing meets real-world classrooms and communities. “It’s an excellent fit because it lets me leverage expertise across both areas,” Dr. Xing said.
A major draw was IDSC’s supercomputing resources and research infrastructure. “I’m looking forward to having my research group access resources here for AI development and related work,” he said.
Location mattered, too. “Miami is a major metropolitan area so there are more opportunities, not only for collaboration within the University but also for entrepreneurship, business partnerships, and school district collaborations,” he said.
“The medical school here is very strong,
and I’m excited about opportunities
to collaborate across disciplines.”
Dr. Xing, who previously served in leadership roles supporting engineering education programs at the University of Florida, looks forward to expanding interdisciplinary work at the University of Miami. “I haven’t broken into the medical world yet, but the medical school here is very strong, and I’m excited about opportunities to collaborate across disciplines,” he said. “IDSC is a great platform for that.”
Building Large Language Models for Education
Dr. Xing’s long-term goal is to build education-specific large language models designed with schools and students in mind.
He notes that general-purpose tools like ChatGPT can be powerful but have limitations in educational settings. They can function as “black boxes,” become costly at scale (especially when supporting large numbers of students), and raise privacy concerns depending on how data is handled and how systems behave in different learning contexts.
“For certain educational scenarios, especially with kids, you can’t just rely on generic prompting and hope the models behave exactly as needed,” he said. “You want to build models that are more controlled, more transparent, and potentially cheaper. Not everything needs a very large model. Some tasks can use smaller, lower-cost models.”
Three Pillars of a Research Program
Dr. Xing describes his work as three interconnected areas. First, he designs, develops, and tests AI tools that directly support learning. One of his flagship projects is ALTER-Math, which stands for AI-augmented Learning by Teaching to Enhance and Renovate Math Learning. Grounded in the well-established idea that one of the best ways to learn is to teach, the program essentially turns middle schoolers into math teachers. Instead of positioning an AI agent as an all-knowing tutor, ALTER-Math introduces an AI agent more like a peer, one who needs help from the students. “This process helps reinforce and deepen their mathematical understanding,” Dr. Xing said. ALTER-Math has reached students across Florida, and Dr. Xing is in talks to bring the program to Broward County students.
Second, Dr. Xing uses large-scale educational data to analyze learning behaviors and learning processes. Education is increasingly data-rich, he said, as learning platforms capture information such as posts, videos watched, interactions, and discussion participation. By applying learning analytics and data mining methods in both online and in-person classes, Dr. Xing aims to generate insights that strengthen theory-driven learning science and contribute to the next wave of generative education.
Third, his work in STEM and computing workforce development connects the first two. Dr. Xing builds tools for teaching advanced topics and helps design innovative programs that introduce students to AI, data science, microelectronics, and other emerging technologies. He approaches this work as a learning scientist, developing strategies and experiences that make complex technical subjects more accessible. “We’ve explored approaches like reverse engineering to come up with new ways students can learn about advanced technological areas,” he said.
His research has been supported by multiple funders, including the NSF, Department of Education, Department of Defense, NIST, the Florida Department of Education, and various private foundations.
Teaching, Mentoring, and Building a Team
Dr. Xing will teach courses on AI in education and leads an active research team that includes postdoctoral scholars, Ph.D. students, and an AI engineer. He brought some team members with him from the University of Florida and plans to hire additional researchers. “Postdocs and Ph.D. graduates from my lab have gone on to tenure-track faculty roles at many different universities,” he said.
Life in South Florida—and a Streak of Championship Luck
Outside the lab, Dr. Xing is settling into South Florida and building a new routine. He lives in Pembroke Pines with his wife and two sons, 5 and 7. While he’s still adjusting to the traffic, he said he’s enjoying the perks of city life. “Miami has culture, sports, museums, and lots of activities,” he said. “Outside of work, my life mostly revolves around the kids.”
When he has time to unwind, he heads to the beach. He also loves swimming and playing basketball. Dr. Xing, who also enjoys watching sports, jokingly notes a pattern. While he was at Texas Tech and the University of Florida, both basketball teams advanced to the national championship game. After arriving in Miami, he was thrilled to watch his new hometown team play in the championship football game.
“They all made history while I was there!” he said.
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Story by
Lauren Comander
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